Ever Cure an Oak Barrel?

I have a miniature one.....

Seems as though there's a different way to cure a barrel everywhere on the internet.

Right now, I keep putting hot water in it for the water to saturate into the wood for up to a week. Yet, there are other directions that I've read saying not to do it the way I'm doing it. I read to use barrel wax, but I've read not to use barrel wax.....

Any advice to keep it from leaking?